Little league and elected officials celebrate legislation enacted to expand availability of Padavan-Preller athletic fields
August 4, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 4, 2022
Contact: Soojin Choi: 347-556-6335 | press@johnliusenate.com
LITTLE LEAGUE AND ELECTED OFFICIALS CELEBRATE LEGISLATION ENACTED TO EXPAND AVAILABILITY OF PADAVAN-PRELLER ATHLETIC FIELDS
Popular Queens athletic fields now open for all sporting uses,
including cricket, soccer, flag football and other community activities
Bellerose, NY – NYS Senator John C. Liu, Assembly Member Clyde Vanel and the Hollis – Bellaire – Queens Village – Bellerose Athletic Association (HBQVBAA) today announced legislation to expand the availability of the Padavan-Preller Fields in Bellerose to allow for sports like cricket, soccer, flag football, and other community activities.
Since 1980, an agreement between HBQVBAA and the State of New York allowed the league to utilize and maintain the fields, but restricted the usage to solely baseball and softball. Any other use was prohibited unless the state provided explicit approval.
In order to recognize the changing demographics of Queens and the area’s diverse sporting organizations, Senator Liu and Assembly Member Vanel passed legislation S6893 and A8296 to allow HBQVBAA additional oversight to expand the usage of the property for purposes other than Little League baseball. Under the legislation, the venue may now be used for other non-professional sports events, or as a venue for civic, charitable, cultural, religious or educational events.
The Padavan-Preller Fields are a nine baseball/softball field complex in Bellerose, Queens. The fields are owned and operated by the HBQVBAA. In addition to the fields, HBQVBAA maintains a parking lot, equipment room, batting cages, restrooms and a concession stand.
Senator John Liu stated, “Any sports organizer knows that reserving a playing field in the summertime can be extremely challenging, if not impossible, due to high demand. By opening up these nine athletic fields to more sporting activities like cricket, soccer, and football, and giving HBQVBAA more control over their own fields, we are expanding opportunities for thousands of athletes throughout Queens. Let’s play ball!”
Assembly Member Clyde Vanel stated, “We are excited for the local community in Queens to be able to utilize these fields for many more activities. We have been fighting for this for a long time and now, with the passage of this law, children and adults alike will be able to take part in more athletic events in the community - bringing more joy and excitement to our community every single day.”
Paul Busciolano, HBQVBAA Vice President, stated, “The passing of the bill helps us continue to be leaders in the community by allowing boys and girls to play multiple sports at the complex, as well as allowing us to open the complex to different community activities and events.”
Ginny Peiser, President/Founder Goals Fast-Pitch, stated, “The Girls of Goals Fast-Pitch are excited to see what the future of the HBQVBAA Padavan-Preller Complex and Organization will become. New and improved opportunities await for us and the community.”
Mark McMillan, District Manager, Queens Community Board 13, stated, “Over the past twenty years, the demographics of our communities have changed dramatically. While baseball will always be known and treasured as ‘America’s Pastime,’ newer immigrant groups have come and brought in sports that also require the use of grass fields. Soccer, cricket and even softball are played more and there is a demand to have spaces where these sports can be played safely. As our society struggles with physical maladies like hypertension, diabetes and so many being overweight, opening up areas where organized physical activity may take place goes a long way in addressing some of these issues.”
John Boyd, Senior Pastor of New Greater Bethel Ministries, stated, “I played here as a boy. My three kids all played here, and now as Senior Pastor of New Greater Bethel, I’m gratified that this tremendous resource is now more widely available.”
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